Flash infos

Eurocopter unveils its Mercedes-Benz Style EV145 helicopter

Eurocopter presented its new concept helicopter at the Geneva EBACE (Eurocopter Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition) held in early May. The modular helicopter, developed in partnership with Mercedes Benz, features a high end Mercedes-designed new interior inspired by The German car firm’s R class vehicle.

SkyGroup announces Agusta approval of its SMS maintenance facilities

AgustaWestland approved Skygroup’s Sky Maintenance Services (SMS) facilities at the Geneva EBACE show in early May. The centre is nowan approved service centre for the A109, Power, Grand and Grand New family. The facilities are at Le Castellet in the Provence area of France and provide a full range of services including diagnostics, the implementation of solutions, reporting, and stock management.

Tunisavia and Eurocopter sign co-operation agreement

Tunisavia, société tunisienne de transport et de services aériens a signé un accord de coopération le 8 avril dernier avec Eurocopter. Le centre de maintenance de la société tunisienne, Tunisavia, établi à l’aéroport international de Sfax-Thyna, a été adopté par « Eurocopter » en tant que centre accrédité pour les opérations demaintenance et d’entretien.

AgustaWestland's operational flying training centre opens its doors for business

AgustaWestland announced at the end of April that its Operational Flying Training Centre (OFTC) located at Newquay Cornwall Airport, in South West England, was officially opened. The opening of the OFTC enhances Agusta- Westland's helicopter training capabilities and allows it to offer a complete range of training services to its customers, from basic helicopter pilot training through to advanced operational helicopter flying training.

French DGA receives the first naval NH90

The French government weapons evaluation agency the DGA (direction générale de l'armement) received the first NFH NH90 helicopter earmarked for the French navy. The helicopter will be delivered to the naval air service where it will undergo an experimental trial campaign prior to entering into operational service scheduled for the end of 2011.

The Royal Netherlands Navy takes delivery of its first NH90 NFH

AgustaWestland, announced on April 21 on behalf of NH Industries the delivery of the first NH90 NFH helicopter to the Royal Netherlands Navy during an official ceremony held today at AgustaWestland's Vergiate plant in Italy. The Royal Netherlands Navy has ordered a total of 20 NH90 NFH aircraft.

Lynx Helicopters : 31F fleet shelved for the summer

French national navy Headquarters have made the decision to temporarily stand down the French 31st helicopter fleet from the 25th June onwards. The affected Hyères-based Lynx helicopters will be used by the 34F, the other airborne naval fleet that uses the Lynx.

Apache IOS goes live

AgustaWestland announced on April that the Apache Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract is now fully operational just six months after contract award and a whole 12 months earlier than originally planned. In the six months since contract award AgustaWestland has moved from being a supplier to a capability provider, enabling the MoD's Apache Project Team to be reorganised, transitioning from being a provider to a decider.

First test flight for Galileo's development

Eurocopter and Funkwerk Avionics have completed a helicopter test flight with an EC145 in the Galileo test bed GATE in Berchtesgaden, Southern Germany. The test flight was observed by IFEN GmbH, the operator of the GATE test bed. The test marked the first time that signals from the future European satellite navigation system Galileo were used for navigation in a helicopter.

Eurocopter invests as well as cutting jobs

In thewake of the economy drive launched in October 2009 thatwas dubbed the "Shape" programme whereby cost savings were made through rationalisation and streamlining, Eurocopter has announced 400 job losses in France and Germany. Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling and Alain Rolland site manager for Marignane and La Courneuve presented details of the talks that had taken place at the company's executive committee, stating that the job losses will be rolled out through to April 2011.

Eurocopter names Cécile Vion-Lanctuit as Vice President of Corporate Communications

Cécile Vion-Lanctuit has been appointed at the beginning of May as Eurocopter Group's Vice President of Corporate Communications. In her new role, Vion-Lanctuit reports to CEO Lutz Bertling and oversees all internal and external communications for Eurocopter.

Becker Avionics reveals a new moving map concept at AERO2010

Becker Avionics is unveiling its new MFD6203 moving map concept at the AERO2010. The MFD6203 concept is a new, state-of-the art moving map system in the common 160mm panel-mount format that provides a sophisticated moving map solution for VFR flight.

Military helicopters: EADS and Lockheed join forces

The two partners are hoping to land a contract worth between $6bn and $10bn for the renewal of the ageing Kiowa helicopter fleet. The objective is to provide 350 to 500 multi-mission helicopters to include reconnaissance, surveillance, transport, and combat troop support. The Pentagon has put out a call for preliminary information prior to their call for tender which will follow in due course.

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announce teaming agreement to compete for the VXX Presidential helicopter program

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin announced on April 19 the signing of a teaming agreement to compete jointly for the U.S. Navy's revived VXX Presidential Helicopter program.

CAE wins a $ 250 million contract for the Chinook helicopter

Flight simulator manufacturers CAE have won a Canadian federal government contract worth $250 million for the training of CH-147F Chinook helicopter crew.

FLIR systems announces delivery order for $12.4 Million from the U.S.Army

FLIR Systems, Inc. announced at the end of April that it has received a $12.4 million order from the U.S. Army for its Star SAFIRE(R) II stabilized multi-sensor systems. The units delivered under this order will be deployed on UH-60 helicopters in support of ongoing Medevac operations.

Eurocopter Canada announces the sale of three EC130 B4 to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Eurocopter Canada (ECL) announced at the end of April the sale of three EC130 B4 single-engine helicopters to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for forest fire management work and utility missions across Canada's second largest province.

Brazil receives its first Mi-35M helicopters.

Rosoboronexport announced at the end of April that Russia has delivered three Mi-35M combat helicopters to Brazil. 12 helicopters were ordered by Brazil from the Russians in 2008 at a total cost of 150 million dollars.

Eurocopter signs contracts for seven helicopters at FIDAE 2010

Eurocopter Chile and Cono Sur announced contract signatures for the sale of 7 helicopters to several parapublic and private operators fromArgentina and Chile during FIDAE Air and Space Show 2010.

Spidertracks launches iPhone viewer

AgustaWestland, announced on March that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Grupo INAER of Spain for the provision of training services for its AgustaWestland light twin and medium twin models fleet.

SkyTrac Systems obtains STC for AgustaWestland AW139

SkyTrac Systems announced at the beginning of April that it has obtained a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the installation of its automated flight following and satellite communications equipment on the AgustaWestland AB/AW139 helicopter.

The Aéromart Brand Ready for Takeoff

Aeronautics latest yearly Salon, Aéromart Montréal is drawing rave reviews from an ever-increasing network of suppliers. Case in point: the second edition's statistics all point upwards. With over 500 companies from 27 countries in attendance, 1000 attendees and 8000 business meetings tallied up, Aéromart 2010 was an unmitigated success with an attendance rate up 20% from the 2008 inaugural show.




		Eurosatory Paris June 14-18 2010


		Helitech 2010 October 5-7 2010


		Helishow Dubai November 2-4 2010


		Heli-Power London November 17-18 2010


		Sibas Shangaï April 13-15 2011

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